God's Quiet Voice

God’s Quiet Voice: An Overview of Psalm 25

Psalm 25:12-15

12“Who is the man who fears the Lord?
Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
13His soul will abide in well-being (prosperity)
And his offspring will inherit the land.
14The friendship (secret counsel) of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.
15My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.”

Recently, my wife and I were with my son in San Francisco.  We discussed that I wanted to buy some good coffee while we were there, as I had run out at home and thought this would be a prime opportunity.  We decided to have brunch at a place near Golden Gate Park.  It was a wonderful time of discussion, despite the rainy day.  As we left the cafe, we headed over to the Sunset District in the west side of the city.  We wandered into a coffee shop, ordered cups of hot coffee, and talked.  My son pointed out that several types of coffee beans were at a pretty good price.  But I didn’t realize his intent, so we walked out of the shop with only our cups of coffee.  Two days later, I realized what kindness my son had attempted to shine on me.  But not recognizing his subtle way, I had missed it...

This is similar to the way God speaks to us.

Sometimes God speaks to us in a shout. Saul had such an experience on the road to Damascus.  He was shaken to the core, and it was life changing.  Sometimes God uses events, such as he did with Joseph and David.  Sometimes God speaks in such a quiet way that we can barely hear Him at all, such as with Elijah in the cave. But sometimes God just speaks to us quietly as we hang around with Him.  Like my son, sometimes He is very subtle.  

In Psalm 25:14, I think David is reflecting on some special subtle communication he had with God. The Hebrew word “sod” in this verse can mean either friendship or “secret counsel.”  Secret counsel is quiet, situational, and probably subtle.  It requires us to walk closely with God and hear the context into which He speaks.  We have to almost know the thoughts (His written word) behind the dialogue to understand what He is actually saying.  This level of relationship is the end result of investment by both the Lord and us. 

Here is an overview of Psalm 25, where David shows us how his relationship with the LORD becomes intimate.

The process starts in verses 8-9:

8“Good and upright is the Lord; therefore, he instructs sinners in the way.”

Here is the beginning for all of us. 9“He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.”

Notice the repetition of “humble.”  Humility is a choice we make.  It is the choice not to be our own god or to let God be God.  We don’t progress in our relationship with Him if we refuse to embrace humility.

After embracing humility, we can see the character of God and His ways more clearly.  His ways are good—not only morally good, but good for us in every respect.  Heart, soul, emotions, desires, relationships—all are bent toward what is good as we seek God’s character and His ways.  We now desire to walk in God’s way, His path.  David continues in verse 10 of Psalm 25:

“All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.”

Then there is a shift, and something new arises.  God shows us who we really are, and again, we have a choice.  We can confess or deny what God has shown us.  Psalm 25:11 reads:

“For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great.”

This moment of cleansing is what The Steps to Freedom helps us accomplish.  The Steps to Freedom in Christ are simply a thorough look at the categories of sin, a prayer that God would show us the sins we desire to abandon, and a commitment to seek God’s ways going forward. 

According to Psalm 25, cleansing brings us to a new level of the fear of the Lord, which then leads to God’s instruction. 

12-13a“Who is the man who fears the Lord?  Him will he instruct in the way he should choose.  His soul will abide in well-being...”  

Do you see how the level of relationship is now deeper and more personal and satisfying?

We finally arrive at a level of relationship where we can understand God’s quiet voice, His whispers, His intentions.  

In my experience, many folks work through The Steps to Freedom and find so much help that they don’t pursue anything deeper. But God desires us to keep going. He wants us to be the person to whom He can give secret counsel, a person with whom He can have a deeper friendship.

Don’t stop.  Keep going. There is more, so much more, in deeper friendship with the Lord. 

P.S. Over the next few weeks, we’ll study more about God’s Voice through Psalm 25. Hope you’ll join us!